• A Fine Coat

    A Fine Coat

    Grief is a tailor. Each garment made to suit, buttons attached each year, hems altered, seams made strong by threads of time, pockets lined with truth.   Grief takes threads of every color in and out. Rage-red borders blend flecks of gold. It makes a fine coat so soft to…

  • River Grass at Summer’s End

    River Grass at Summer’s End

    Seedlings in spring, tall grasses in summer sun, we scan life on the lapping currents at our river’s edge.   Clinging to trees, cicadas call out an endless shrill. Water striders mate and die. Widow Skimmers dance on the waves. A turtle basks on a dead limb caught in a…

  • In Autumn (Two Drafts)

    In Autumn (Two Drafts)

    This is a loop poem, in which the last word of a line begins the next line. This first draft seemed bland to me, so I revised it by adding details and being looser with the rules for loop poems. I feel the looping can create unnecessary repetition and restrict…

  • Cocoons

    Cocoons

    Rice cooks, sheaths burst, steam rises for sacral birth.   Seeds hold life released by light. Flowers unfold deep soul in germination.   Such is life as it unfolds From seed to crypt. Genesis is not kind. We break free of the organ & in the pain of delivery, engage…

  • In Autumn (Two Drafts)

    In Autumn (Two Drafts)

    This is a loop poem, in which the last word of a line begins the next line. This first draft seemed bland to me, so I revised it by adding details and being looser with the rules for loop poems. I feel the looping can create unnecessary repetition and restrict…

  • Keep

    Keep

    This poem is for a challenge at dVerse~Poets Pub to write a poem of 44 words (Quadrille) using the word ‘Keep’. Keep is to cherish as love undenied. Keep is to perish as vinegar from wine. Keep is to guard like gold bricks and silver. Keep is too hard if…

  • Status: Unfriended

    Status: Unfriended

    We took for granted those easy days, believing in bonds, implicit contracts, soul groups, & kinships. Hugs were warm & kisses real. We could smell the hot coffee brewing for the brunches.   Life…the miles… left us in the wilderness without food or drink or matches, only emojis, tags, and…

  • Sunday Best: Light & Scars

    Sunday Best: Light & Scars

    It’s so nice to get recognition for your work! Thank you so much, Free Verse Revolution. Dear Readers, please scroll down to the part on Scars. (UPDATE: This poem is archived – the link no longer works – because FREE VERSE REVOLUTION has a new literary magazine. If you wish…

  • The Art of War: Enter the Dragon

    The Art of War: Enter the Dragon

    The Art of War: Enter the Dragon He sees me at a distance from the Salvation Army. The soft glow of my white hair, my short stature and square hips, a slight limp, a slow stride, I am an easy mark to a desperate bully. Mam! Mam! Come here! Come…

  • An Imperfect Bride

    An Imperfect Bride

    Let’s go! It’s time! Now!? I’m still in my floral blue knit night gown, plum-colored sweatshirt, & baby doll slippers from Walmart! No one will see you or care. Not important. An uncharged phone? A half-packed purse? Uncompleted morning duties? I gather myself, an imperfect bride, for the trip. I…